Zafrul Indicates Telcos Torpedoed Plans For Consortium To Set Up 5g Network

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Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has implied that telcos torpedoed plans for a consortium to set up 5G access nationwide, amid backlash over the government's push for a single wholesaler model.
According to a chronology he provided, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had published a report in 2019 suggesting that a 5G consortium of telcos be established instead of awarding individual 4G spectrums to individual companies.
"However, because of clashing interests among the telcos, efforts to share the network, save costs, and launch 5G did not get implemented as hoped," he said in a Facebook post today.
Currently, the government has placed MOF Inc-owned Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) in charge of rolling out 5G infrastructure, which it will then lease to telcos.
Industry players have expressed scepticism over the DNB model and have been reluctant to come on board, citing pricing issues and a lack of transparency.
Zafrul and DNB, however, argue that the single wholesaler model will allow 5G to cost cheaper than 4G networks.
The slow uptake from telcos has prompted DNB to offer a free-trial period to telcos. Only Telekom Malaysia has signed on with the wholesaler thus far.
Zafrul released the timeline in a lengthy clarification over Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin claim that the Finance Ministry unilaterally decided to put DNB in charge of the 5G rollout.
Zafrul claimed that in truth, his ministry has worked closely with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry and the MCMC and was in constant talks with both the current minister Annuar Musa and his predecessor Saifuddin Abdullah.


 - Mkini

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